Evaluation of ICP-OES applicability for trace element determination in environmental samples

This study deals with the application of current ICP-OES instrumentation for trace element determination in environmental samples. The concentric (Meinhard(R) type), cross-flow, GemCone(TM), and ultrasonic nebulizers as well as the cyclonic and Scott spray chambers are compared in terms of limits of detection (LODs) and plasma robustness. Under optimized conditions, LODs, in ng mL(-1), of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, in a 5% (v/v) HNO3 aqueous medium, ranged from 1.1-16; 0.002-0-32, 0.03-1.2; 0.02-0.72; 0.03-0.82; 0.04-3.0; 0.003-0.76; 0.08-3.8; 0.22-8.9; 0.04-2.6; and 0.02-1.2, respectively, in the axially viewed plasma. In the radially viewed plasma, the LODs, in ng mL(-1), for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn ranged from 10-87; 0.01-0.91; 0.07-3.8; 0.16-4.3; 0.13-8.1; 0.16-4.3; 0.01-0.81; o.43-7.6; 1.4-37; 0.28-6.0; and 0.77-9.5, respectively. Methodology optimization is described and certified samples of apple leaves, water, and marine sediment as well as real samples of water, marine sediment, plant leaves, and pine needles are analyzed. In each sample, most analytes were quantified using external calibration.